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Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class vs Porsche Macan

2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class vs 2026 Porsche Macan — two small SUVs compared on efficiency, size, safety and reliability.

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2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WDAWD/4WDHybrid/EV
VS2 – 1Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class wins 2 of 3 categories
Porsche Macan

2026 Porsche Macan

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WDAWD/4WDHybrid/EV

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The short version

The Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class is more fuel-efficient: 23 vs 21 MPG combined in its best version.

That works out to about $2,850 a year less in fuel for the Porsche Macan (EPA estimate, 15,000 miles).

Across all model years since 2005, the Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class has had fewer recall campaigns (0 vs 15).

The two cars

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class is a small SUV offered with 3 engines (2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo and 4.0L 8-cyl turbo), including a hybrid version and rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. EPA rates its most efficient version at 23 MPG combined (21 city / 28 highway), 11% worse than the 2026 small SUV average of 25.9 MPG, for an estimated $3,550 a year in fuel.

The 2026 Porsche Macan is a small SUV offered with 2 engines (2.0L 4-cyl turbo and 2.9L 6-cyl turbo) and rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. It measures about 185 inches long and 76 inches wide on a 111-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,098 lb (4dr SUV AWD).

Buying used? The 2024 GLE-Class and the 2022 Macan have the fewest problems in our data; avoid the 2017 Macan.

Basics

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Hybrid
Fuel
EV, Premium Gasoline
2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 4.0L 8-cyl turbo
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 2.9L 6-cyl turbo
Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Drivetrain
Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive

Efficiency

23 MPG
Best combined MPG
21 MPG
21 city
City / highway MPG (best)
19 city
–
EV range
332 mi
$3,550
Fuel cost per year (EPA)
$700

Performance & space

–
Length
185 in
–
Width
75.6 in
–
Height
63.8 in
–
Curb weight (lightest)
4,098 lb

Safety & reliability

0
Recalls (2026)
0
0
Recalls, all years since 2005
15
0
Owner complaints (latest year)
0

Interest

–
Wikipedia views, 30 days
15,358

Buying used

2024
Best used year
2022
–
Year to avoid
2017

Green = clearly better. Prices are not included. How we calculate this →

Which one should you choose?

Choose the Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class if…

  • You want lower fuel bills (23 vs 21 MPG)
  • You put reliability history first (0 vs 15 recalls since 2005)

Choose the Porsche Macan if…

  • You want an EV with more range (332 miles)

Pros & cons of each

2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class

  • Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.
  • AWD / 4WD available
  • Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.

2026 Porsche Macan

  • Long EV rangeUp to 332 miles on a charge (EPA).
  • Electric version availableOffered as a electric as well as gas.
  • AWD / 4WD available
  • Below-average fuel economyBest version gets 21 MPG combined, 30% below the 2026 small SUV average of 30.2 MPG.
  • Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.

Full 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class specs →Full 2026 Porsche Macan specs →Compare fuel costs for your driving →Compare size & garage fit →